March 8, 1944

S.W. Pacific

March 8, 1944

Dear Folks: -

It’s 10 P.M. & a heck of a time for me to be starting a letter, but I meant to write tonight & so help me I’m going to. I got sorta engrossed in a book & the hour hand slipped around pretty fast.

I’m reading a good book – Lloyd Douglas’s latest called The Robe. I borrowed it from Lt. Bolton a fellow officer in my battery. As I remember you were always a Douglas fan – bet you’d like this book very much.

I got a letter from you & one from Dorothy today. They both took about 10 days to get here, which I guess is not too bad. Ches Biven also sent a V-mail – he is the most faithful correspondent of all my boy friends. Oh yes – also got a V-mail from Esther.

Dorothy tells me that Arlo has been offered a very fine job in New York. The salary she quoted, $4800 a yr. sounds mighty interesting to me. I believe I’d personally have a hard time turning my back on that sort of talk. It’s true they’d be a long way from home, but compare that distance with the no. of miles I am from home & it kinda dwindles before your eyes. After all when the war is over we’ll all have helicopters or airplanes anyway so distance won’t mean a thing. I really do think that if it’s the type of work Arlo really likes he should take the job.

Dot wrote the letter on the 25th & said she still had hopes of the event happening on my birthday. I’m still waiting to hear the news of course.

My, my – I certainly have never heard of such poker games as those you mentioned. I have played “7 card, low hole card wild”, but that was the only one I was familiar with of the lot. You folks sure have a cheap good time don’t you.

No news of any importance from this side of the water. Still feel fine, altho I did have a slight cold for a few days. Went swimming today in a nearby river for a little exercise & also to get the dirt out from behind the ears.

Next time you call Esther you might just let her in on the fact that the address is not APO #7092 but APO #25, Btry C, 8th F.A. Bn. I’m sure Elaine has the correct address.

That’s all for right now – must get under my netting & foil all these hungry mosquitos. G’night.

Love, Dorance